Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4 v 16 - 17:
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with
a shout, with he voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the
dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so
shall we ever be with the Lord."
There is one thing only Father God knows and that is the
exact time and day this event called the Rapture will occur. Not even Jesus
himself knows. So we cannot know it either. However there are signposts along
the way to show us that it is near.
In Matthew 24 v 3 the disciples asked Jesus for the sign
of His return and of the end of the world. He said that there would be world
wars; other wars; the Jews would return to Israel; weather would be extreme;
famine; plagues; earthquakes etc. He called these The Beginning of Sorrows.
These were signs preceding the Tribulation. Daniel speaks
of 1 week of years ie 7 years broken into two parts. Starting with many
believers being martyred for their faith. ISIS is busy doing just that. And
other nations too.
He said that this gospel would be preached everywhere on
earth before the end. That indicates that Christians will not be Raptured
before the Tribulation starts. We will be busy with the Great Revival.
Then the Abomination of Desolation will stand in the Holy
of Holies in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem - this is the Antichrist declaring
himself the Messiah. Only then will the Great Tribulation begin. I believe the
Rapture takes place at this midpoint of the 7 years.
Jesus says to the church of Philadelphia that they will
not face the Wrath of the Lamb (Rev 3 v 10). This is the second half of the
Tribulation. We (the BODY of Christ) will be caught up to meet Jesus (the HEAD
of the Church) and form the completed BRIDEGROOM who will return to Earth to
rescue His BRIDE, Israel, at the Battle of Armageddon.
Revelation 22 v 17 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come.
She is the new Jerusalem adorned as a bride in Revelation 21. The Lamb's wife
consists of the 12 tribes of Israel Rev 21 v 9 - 12. She is the Chosen one and satan wants her
destroyed to spite God and his Son. Our judgment in Matt 24 comes from our
attitude towards israel. Do we as His Body love or hate His Bride. His true body
will love her.
Those who are born again believers who love Israel will
be raptured together with the dead believers who will rise from death first.
What a day of rejoicing it will be.
Prayer: Father God help us to understand the hidden
depths of Your salvation and rescue plan and get in line with it so we can help
those who are struggling with the increased pressure of unfolding hardships.
Father open the eyes of the spiritually blind to see Your glorious Kingdom. In
Jesus' name. Amen.